Osbit Ltd, the offshore engineering and technology company, has secured a project with DeepOcean to deliver a significant upgrade to a subsea plough, enhancing its capabilities for the installation of a new gas pipeline.

DeepOcean’s Advanced Multi-Pass Plough (AMP500) will be deployed to the Baltic Sea for the construction of the 1,200km Nord Stream 2 Pipeline, which will transport natural gas from Russia to the European Union.

To meet the requirements of the Nord Stream 2 project, the AMP500 is required to accommodate a larger diameter pipeline.

Osbit, through a competitive tender process, has been awarded the upgrade, which will transform the asset into a state-of-the-art subsea vehicle that can support the trenching and laying of the 1.5-meter diameter pipeline.

This will be facilitated by implementation of a new share, major pipe handling equipment upgrades and the installation of Osbit’s control system which will provide the latest operational control technology for the plough.

The modular nature of the control system enables it to be transferred onto other trenching assets within the DeepOcean fleet, which reduces duplication of inventory. This is the second control system Osbit has supplied for DeepOcean, after it installed the technology as part of an upgrade of the T1 Trencher, in 2017.

The project will be delivered at Port of Blyth, where both companies have quayside operations, and will be completed to the required strict timescale of 30 weeks.

Robbie Blakeman, Director at Osbit, said: “Our unique structure, systems and processes ensure we can deliver this plough upgrade quickly and meet the timescale required by DeepOcean and the Nord Stream 2 development, without compromising safety, quality or reliability.

“Being located close together at Port of Blyth enhances the collaborative nature of this project as we work closely with DeepOcean to deliver our solution, which will enable the AMP500 to effectively operate in the Baltic Sea and other locations requiring large product installation.”

Pierre Boyde, Managing Director of DeepOcean’s Cable Lay and Trenching Operation, said: “This is a great example of two technology-led companies from within the North East England supply chain coming together to employ innovative solutions to address a customer requirement. This project will build upon our existing relationship with Osbit and is part of DeepOcean’s commitment to maintaining and developing the most advanced fleet of cable lay and trenching assets in the industry.”